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Volvo unveiled the S90 large luxury sport sedan last week ahead of its January debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. With sleek lines and a wide stance, the S90 will take over as the brand’s flagship sedan for the low-selling S80. Its main competitors will be the BMW 5 series and Mercedes-Benz E class in what is an important, though shrinking, segment for automakers. Here is a look at what some journalists, analysts and others are saying about the S90.

“One look is all it should take to realize that this is a thoroughly fresh product. The design adopts the same language as the [XC90] crossover, but in an inherently more elegant form, despite being based on the same Scalable Product Architecture as the XC90.”-- Noah Joseph, Autoblog

“Simply put, the S90 looks like a slightly toned down four-door version of 2013’s stunning Volvo Concept Coupe, and that can only be a good thing. You certainly won’t find anything like it on the road today, especially looking at the rear since the grill and those signature headlights should be quite familiar by now from the XC90. …

“Though the rear of the S90 and the rear of that concept look alike much in the same way that Don Rickles and Natalie Portman look alike -- the same basic features are there, but one just happens to make jokes about hockey pucks, and the other, well, doesn’t.”-- Mate Petrany, Jalopnik

“Inside, the elegant and luxurious interior of the XC90 carries over with little noticeable changes. The interior is a striking mix of high-quality leather, beautiful wood grain, and metal trim. Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system takes the place of many buttons you’d otherwise find on the center stack, helping simplify and de-clutter the interior. Given that Volvo’s goal of reducing injuries and eliminating fatalities in its vehicles starting 2020 is rapidly approaching, it’s a safe guess that the S90 features most, if not all, of the semi-autonomous active safety technology from its crossover brother.”-- Christian Seabaugh, Motor Trend

“As spy photos, leaked scale models, and teaser photos indicated, the 2017 Volvo S90 has the long-hood proportions of traditional luxury sedans. Out front is the company’s chrome mesh grille, with T-shaped ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlights and elegant hood strakes. There’s a pronounced shoulder line running the entire length of the car, while large bracket-shaped taillights adorn the trunk. Despite its somewhat conventional three-box silhouette, the 2017 Volvo S90 is a fresh and modern design, with a gracefully curved roofline and a tapered nose.”-- Jake Holmes, Automobile

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“As another Volvo hallmark, the S90 will also offer ‘a system capable of detecting large animals such as elk, horses or moose, night or day,’ via a driver warning and, if needed, brake intervention.

“If you live in an area where hitting a moose (or perhaps a deer) is a regular concern, that should be a helpful feature.”-- Collin Woodard, Road & Track

“Volvo is back on the map with the Volvo XC90 and now the Volvo S90 sedan. The XC90 sport utility has seen among the biggest increases in shopping activity on Autotrader since it was introduced. The first Volvo XC90 was a huge hit. The new one comes at an ideal time, when utilities, especially luxury ones, are in fashion. The S90 will have a tougher time as cars are less in vogue with consumers.”-- Michelle Krebs, senior analyst, Autotrader

“Volvo is in need of a brand transformation, as the luxury space has become ultra competitive. The XC90 has been a wonderful start, and the S90 looks to take its place as an exciting entry into a segment that has remained largely unchanged for several years now due to its prestigious nature. If the S90 can replicate the XC90’s success, Volvo should be pleased.”-- Akshay Anand, analyst, Kelley Blue Book

“Volvo has spent billions to develop an entirely new engine platform focusing on small, turbo-, and supercharged engines. It has a new chassis platform that is flexible enough to support everything from 7-passenger SUVs to smaller sporty sedans. If the XC90 was step one in the reinvention of Volvo, the S90 is step two.”-- Jordan Golson, The Verge

“So what’s next? Using technology to improve the ownership experience, whether it’s improving connectivity, performance, efficiency or safety. And that’s exactly what the all-new Volvo S90 does. However, it does it with a decidedly Swedish style flare that helps differentiate it in the luxury sedan marketplace.”-- Nick Jaynes, Mashable

“While the S90’s closest familial ties are to the S60 and outgoing S80, it doesn’t bear much of a family resemblance to either. The S90 eschews the narrow-nosed, low-slung look of the sedan it replaces for a more nimble-looking and higher-riding posture.”-- Matt Schmitz, Cars.com

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“The S90 sedan should’ve been the first new Volvo launched under Chinese owner Geely’s watch. That was the original plan. But late in the day, the S90 and XC90 release dates were swapped, fast-tracking the SUV to market for 2014. ‘The XC90 is our icon, and the previous model was launched in 2002, so it was really getting old,’ says Volvo R&D boss Peter Mertens. ‘It was also our biggest seller, so it was essential that we replaced it first.’

“So now, a little behind schedule, it’s the S90’s turn to step into the spotlight. Funded by Geely’s $11 billion investment plan, the executive sedan is the slightly left-field alternative to the 5-Series/E-Class/A6 set, as well as the Jaguar XF and Lexus GS. Prices won’t be confirmed until the Detroit show in January, but Volvo says to expect a step over the S80 -- it retails for $43,450 today. …

“Fit-and-finish appears superb, the leather and wood and diamond-cut controls a tactile delight. Mercedes raised the bar with the latest C-Class interior, so we await the upcoming E-Class with interest. Competing against this Swede will be a toughie.”-- Ben Barry, Autoweek

“Based on the same platform as the XC90 SUV, the Volvo S90 shares a design aesthetic, with artful creases and Scandinavian minimalism communicating a premium feel. More significantly, Volvo promises that the S90 continues the march down the road to no deaths or significant injuries by the year 2020 in the brand’s new cars through the implementation of active safety technology.”-- Michelle Naranjo, Consumer Reports

“Think Volvo, and you’ll likely have visions of mud-splattered SUVs crammed with screaming kids, or huge estates with wardrobes lashed to the roof. Now, the resurgent Swedes want to make a name for themselves among luxury saloons with this, the new S90.” -- Jack Rix, Top Gear

“Outside, the S90 features the same restrained aesthetic seen on the XC90 and the company’s recent concept cars, and it’s one that appears more distinctive as the rest of the industry moves toward ever-busier surface treatments. The S90’s concave grille seems to cant ever so slightly forward, like those of old BMWs, while the headlights are dominated by horizontal, T-shaped LED elements that Volvo calls ‘Thor’s hammer.’ At the rear, dual stacked C-shaped taillamps create a distinct look.”-- Joe Lorio, Car and Driver